PROMISE ZONE APPLICATION

From the summer of 2015 to early 2016, partners across South Los Angeles came together to refine our collective impact plan for SLATE-Z. In February, we submitted our plan as an application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s Third Round Promise Zone competition.

Why a Promise Zone for SLATE-Z?

Some may debate the merits of a second Promise Zone in Los Angeles given that there is already a designation and only 11 urban Promise Zones in the nation to date. But if SLATE-Z were its own city, it would rival or eclipse most cities’ rates of poverty: 45.59% in an area that houses 197,539 residents – with the highest tract poverty rate of 77.4%, according to HUD. Children are the most vulnerable: over half (53%) of children in SLATE-Z live in poverty, more than twice the rate in LA County (25.3%). Should there be another Promise Zone in Los Angeles for SLATE-Z? The answer is a resounding yes!

A Promise Zone designation would be immensely significant for the SLATE-Z community and our partners that serve residents. As one of the largest cities in the nation, Los Angeles has access to capital; however, the issues within SLATE-Z are deep-rooted and require substantial financial investments specifically in South LA to address the needs highlighted above. While SLATE-Z partners bring their commitment, expertise, and organizational resources to coordinate, collaborate, and innovate – financial support is needed to accelerate economic revitalization efforts and launch new collective evidence-based programs outlined in the Promise Zone plan. Promise Zone designees receive preferential access to federal funding streams, visibility that allows the work to attract other donors, and technical assistance from HUD which would only strengthen local efforts.

When will the Promise Zone designations be announced?

Designations and finalists will be announced in Spring 2016 by HUD.

What did the SLATE-Z Promise Zone proposal contain?

Materials from our Third Round Promise Zone submission are available below for download as PDFs: